Weekend in Reno with Sara

Sara and I were able to go to Reno for a Kiwana’s convention. Sara and I had a blast! One of the nights after the convention was over, Sara and I decided to go out and have some fun! We got dressed up and hit the casino!

As we were walking to the slots, I spotted this guy and just loved the combo of the Hawaiian shirt and socks with sandles. It put a smile on my face

While we were walking, we also saw this in one of the restaurants. I think the expression on the fish’s face is priceless. It is like he is saying “WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING ON THIS WALL!?”

Sara and I played the penny slots for a while.

We really didn’t win much money. Well actually we lost every penny we put in! HA! Lucky for us a dollar in the penny slots lasts a long time. I think combined all weekend we lost like $6. Not too bad for some mild entertainment. The biggest winning we got was $0.60. We were excited so I had to get a picture of it!

After some good slot time, we went to Circus Circus. That is where the really fun began! We played a bunch of fun games! I felt like a little kid running around winning prizes. Sara and I were able to trade up and get some really cute prizes. Here we are obviously very happy about our winnings!

After we got done playing the games, Sara and I walked around and did some people watching. After a little while, one of the shows started. The show that we got to see was the umbrella show. It started out with just one…

Then she spun it…

Then she added more…

and then she added a lot more!

I was amazed! I thought it was a great show. After that we decided to hit the hay. On our way back to our room, we passed my favorite part of Circus Circus… The Giant Elephant! I love this thing. I always get a picture of it when we go to Reno. It seems silly to always take a picture with the same thing, but it makes me happy. So, we both posed for a picture.

It was so nice to spend the weekend with Sara, and we really had a great time!

Kiwanis District Convention

I really didn’t want to write this twice, so this blog is actually excerpts from the report I wrote for my Kiwanis Club.

Our first day of the convention was Friday, August 20th. The day started off with registration. We registered for the weekend ahead as well as registered to be delegates. We got our identification and information and were ready to start the weekend.

After registration, Sara and I had the opportunity to visit the Expo area. There, we were able to gather information and learn about Key Leader (leadership retreat for teens and Key Clubbers), Aktion Club (for adults with disabilities), K kids (for elementary children), Circle K (for college kids), other clubs and Governor-Elect candidates (Gary Jander and Richard Olmstead) just to name a few.

Each day, Sara and I were able to attend workshops. Friday, we attended two different workshops. The first workshop we attended was titled “HOW TO GET YOUR KIWANIS CLUB IN THE NEWS.” We didn’t find this workshop as informing as the others we attended, but I was able to pull out some helpful information.

From that workshop, we went straight to the next. The next workshop we went to was entitled “HOW TO ATTRACT VISIONARY WOMEN TO YOUR CLUB.” Sara and I both really enjoyed this workshop. Not only was the information great, but the speaker was fabulous, and we had a great group of people interested in learning.

After the workshops, Sara and I attended the first General Session. Here are some of the pictures from the Session:

Governor Roy Talley

Presentation on the Geneva Convention in Switzerland on July 7-10, 2011

We had the pleasure of having the district Aktion Club speech winner with us. The topic this year was “HOW KIWANIS HAS MADE ME A HERO.” She shared her winning speech with everyone and did a fabulous job. She will later compete at the national level.

Presentation on 2011 District Convention in San Diego

Presentation on the Eliminate Project

This is a project that I think all of us should get behind. In case you didn’t know, Eliminate is all about Kiwanis working to eliminating maternal/neonatal tetanus. Maternal/neonatal tetanus is a horrible disease that kills thousands of mothers and babies every year in underdeveloped countries. For just $1.80 (a series of 3 shots at $0.60 each), we can save a mother her baby. This is 100% preventable and together we can ELIMINATE this disease!

After the first General Session, Sara and I went to the division dinner. It was great to meet other people from clubs in our area.

Later that evening, Sara and I had the opportunity to visit three hospitality suites, two of which were for the two candidates for Governor-Elect. We used this opportunity very wisely and talked to the candidates and those close to them about the current issues facing the organization and what their goals and plans for the organization if they were elected. As we were walking back to our room, we noticed this in the dome.

It was wonderful how hospitable the casinos were to our organization. Not only was this clearly visible all weekend, but LITTERALLY ALL of the staff had ribbons that read “WELCOME KIWANIS!” It was great!

The next morning, Sara and I were able to attend the 2010 Foundation Honors Breakfast.

The breakfast and Sara and I trying to look awake at 6:45am.

After this presentation, I don’t think that there was a dry eye in the house. This is a prime example of how our organization saves lives. This is a family that was rocked with devastation when their daughter was born prematurely at 4lbs 4 oz. With the help of Kiwanis and the Reno Hospital, their little girl was saved.

After the Honors Breakfast, Sara and I attended some workshops. The first workshop that I attended was a Candidates Forum. It was a great opportunity to hear were both candidates stand on issues.

The second workshop we attended was “How to Discover Great Service Projects” aka Beyond the Pancake Breakfast. This workshop was by far my favorite. The workshop was basically a discussion on how our clubs can perform a variety of service projects besides the usual pancake breakfast. I found this to be particular motivating. I am excited to see what our club will do this year with the information.

After the workshops Sara and I attended the Inter-club luncheon. It was a very good lunch. After lunch, it was time to get down to business. It was time for the Second General Session and the House of Delegates.

The Delegate Entrance (It was just a little packed)

Sara and I ready to do some voting

Both the General Session and the House of Delegates was very intense. It was a little shocking, but both Sara and I agree it was a good experience.

Treasurer Margo Dutton giving the Treasure’s Report

Governors Remarks

Let the debate begin…

After a very intense session, Sara and I went back to the room to get ready for the Installation Dinner/Third General Session/Installation of 2010-2011 Officers and Lt. Governors.

Sara and I at Dinner

The dinner, as you can tell, was AMAZING!

The installation of the Governor Elect Richard Olmstead

The installation of Governor Tom Millham

This year’s goal

Larissa's Trip to California Day Six and Seven

On the 6th day of Larissa's vacation, we went back to San Francisco.  I had everything planned and whatnot, but then we didn't get off at the right stop.  We were kind of lost for a while, but found ourselves here:

China Town!  It wasn't a bad substitution!  We had a lot of fun walking around the shops, watching the bustle of people and enjoying the architecture.

 

 

We found a cute little park that that this statue in it.  We didn't really know what it was for because everything was written in Chinese, but we thought it was cool anyway.

Us in front of the statue

The entrance to China Town, coincidentally the end of our china town journey...

The two of us in China Town

After China Town, we decided to just keep walking and see what we find... we found a lot of hills! HA!

It was kind of nice not to have a schedule.  We just walked and talked.  I have found that when it comes to Larissa and I, it doesn't matter what we do, we always have fun as long as we are together.

Larissa and the city

After a fun day in the city, Larissa and I had to head back to the house on the hill because it was Lauma's birthday!  We had a small party for her to celebrate!  When we got there, Indra had already started cooking.

 

Since Indra had everything in the kitchen handled, I decided to go out to the porch where everyone was having some cocktails.

Me and Lauma

When dinner was ready, we all came into the dining room to eat dinner.

 

After dinner we had some great cake also made by the fabulous Indra

Indra passing out the cake

After the cake, it was time for the presents!

 

 

 

I hope Lauma had just as much fun on her birthday as Larissa and I did!

On the last day of Larissa's trip, we went to the Winchester Mystery House.  Since we already had to go to San Jose to take Larissa to the airport, we thought it would be perfect to just spend the day in San Jose.  The Winchester Mystery House was amazing!

The Winchester Mystery House was build by the widow of the creator of the Winchester Riffle.  The story behind the house is this...Mrs. Winchester went to a psychic who told her that she had to build a house or she would die.  If she wanted to stay alive she would have to keep building.  If she ever stopped construction on the house, that is when she would die.  So Mrs. Winchester started building and never stopped.  The Winchester Mystery House is suppose to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.  Mrs Winchester believed that it was haunted with the ghosts of the souls killed by her husbands riffles.   So yeah... It is really cool and really beautiful.

Larissa and I went on a two hour tour of the house.  It was so cool.  Larissa and I really enjoyed it!  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the house, but here are some others that we took.

Larissa at the ticket booth

Some different views of the house

Some of the really cool windows from the house.  Most of the windows were actually made by Tiffany.

Larissa in front of the House

 

Me in front of the house

The two of us!

Me in one of the outside rooms

One of the many green houses

Larissa in the greenhouse

After a fantastic time at the Mystery House, Larissa and I went and got some ice cream.  I was really sad at this point.  We didn't really talk much, I think we were both sad.  After the ice cream, I took Larissa to the airport where she caught a plane home.

I was really sad to have Larissa go home, but I had such a wonderful week with my best friend.